Juniata names next president

November 21, 2012

HUNTINGDON - James Troha, vice president for institutional advancement and university relations at Ohio's Heidelberg University since 2009, has been named the 12th president of Juniata College by the Juniata Board of Trustees.

Troha will begin his official duties on or about June 1.

Troha takes over the presidency from Thomas R. Kepple Jr., who will retire May 31 after serving the college for 15 years as its chief executive.

"Jim Troha has a strong record of proven leadership in numerous aspects of running a College, including student affairs, enrollment, and fundraising," trustees Chairman Robert McDowell said in a written statement. "He is also very community-focused in his personal and professional life, and we expect that focus will benefit Juniata, Huntingdon and the global community, which is so much a focus of our student's educational experience. The board is very pleased to have concluded our search and to have been successful in recruiting our first choice as our new chief executive."

Troha's responsibilities at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, include directing all elements of the institution's fundraising, marketing and university relations efforts.

"Juniata has great momentum, and I am enthusiastically looking forward to working with the board, faculty, students, staff and the larger Juniata and Huntingdon community to foster the College's continued success," said Troha, who is married with three children. "Jennifer and I are appreciative and humbled to be asked to be part of the next evolution of Juniata and look forward to our arrival in Huntingdon."

In addition, Troha has significant executive experience, serving as Heidelberg's interim president for a year, from July 2008 to June 2009.

He oversaw several projects including refinancing the university's $17 million in state-issued bonds and leading Heidelberg's transition from a college to a university. As part of that transition, he oversaw the integration of a new marketing program and branding effort.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Troha earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1991 and went on to earn a master's degree in counseling in 1993, both from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In 2005, he earned a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.